X f finger splint



April 16,1929. R. 0. FOULKE FIfiGER SPLINT Original Filed April 22, 1925 INVENTOR :1) 9% VATTORNEY Reissued Apr. v

*u STA S AT I E- no nro LKE, or WARSAW, INDIANA, Assrenon -ro wrnrrnnn 13 n Poi: mum, on

WARSAW, INDIANIL.

[FINGER srnrnr.

Origina1 No1,6l7,942, dated February 15-, 192?, Serial No. 25,034, filed Apri122, .1925. Application for reissue filed. November 215, 192?. Serial No; 235,715.

This invention relates to improvements in surgical splints for in ured digits, and the object thereof is to provide a structure that when applied to an injured finger-wilt prevent bending of the finger at any ofits joints including the knucl'rle vjoint, and'which will shelter the extended end of the finger so that bumping of the end otthe finger is obviatedi Another object'is to so form the splint that it will preventlateral bending ot'the finger as well as thenornial bending ofthe finger at its joints, andso that it is equally adaptable to anyone of the fingers of the hand. And a further object is to so form the splint as to permit longitudinal traction oi" the finger therein while confining the finger from bending, and sothat'treatnientfor the extension of the finger may be readily applied when so clesircd.

struction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a hand with a splint applied thereto, in which the inventionis embodied; j

2 is a plan view of the invention;

Fig. 3. is a side view projected from Fig.

12; and

Fig. 4; is a rear end viewof the same.

characters.

The invention comprises a SDllIIt IEOIHlBCl of an elongated plate 1, preferably of metal.

.such as aluminum or such other material of such stiffness as will afiord sufficient strength as to sustain the fingerln its confined position inthe splint,but which may be readily bent into the desired shape by applying greater forcexthan that to which it willbe subjected after the splintjis applied. The plate is a loop ithatforms a finger tipshelter, the

plate being transversely straight at the trout These objects are accomplished by the convThe characters appearingjin the description refer to parts shown 1n the drawlngs and designated thereon by corresponding and tha downward longitudinal curvature so end of the loop. That portion of the" plate contiguous with the lower part of the loop extends rearwardly therefrom and is trans transversely straight, and forms a palmrest 7, the upper surtace' of which is convex- In utilizing the invention the splint is 'applied to the injured digit by placing the finger in the cradle with the cover extending over the tops ofthe finger joints, with the loop 4 extending beyond the finger tip 8 and with the rest 7 extending beneath the knuckle joint and in the palm 9 of the hand 10. The customary bandage (not shown) is applied to the injured finger and thesplint in accordance with the practice of surgeons. When thus applied, the splint serves as. a comfortable rest for the finger as it is supported by the handto which therest 7 is bandaged, and the cover12 prevents thefinger jointsxfroin moving upwardly. The sides: 3and 5 of the cover and cradle respectively partially, cover' thecorrespondlng sides of the finger so that lateral bending of the finger is prevented.

The hollow of the loop 4: atthe end of the finger permits elongation of the finger, ands the loop affords a shelter that prevents. con tact of an obstruction with the finger tip.

,VVh at I claim is 1. .Afinger splint formed of an elongated I plate shaped with a cover portion that is lonnitudinally stralgght and transversely arched,

its under face being; concave and its sides inclined downwardly, a finger-tip sheltering loop continuous with the forward end of said cover portion, cradle portion contiguous with the lewer end of the loop and extendinp; rearwardly therefroi'n, its upper face heingr'conc ve and its sides upwardly inclined, iiortion of the plate at the rear end cradle portion being shaped with oi d [it against thepalrn.

2. A finger splint formed, of an elongated plate shaped With a cradle portion with updownwardlongitudinal curvature so as to fit turned edges and a hackwardly turned poragainst the palm of the hand when one of the tion extending over said cradle portion havfingers is inserted between said cradle and 10 ing downwardly inclined sides and forming cover portions.

l a cover for the top of a fin 'er, and that por- In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

tion 01 the plate contiguous with the rear end '7 of said cradle portion being shaped With ROY D. FOULKE. 

